With the House & Senate both in Washington this week, several hearings are scheduled that caught our attention, including a review by the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs on outstanding proposals to spur job growth through capital formation.

With Election Day 2011 behind us, members of Congress start to settle back into their routines in Washington. With the rest of DC focused on Global Entrepreneurship Week, a handful of committee hearings are scheduled that somewhat address the policy environment to promote entrepreneurial growth.

The Kauffman Foundation today released a formal call for nominations and will again award up to seven Junior Faculty Fellowship grants to faculty members in the United States whose research has the potential to make significant contributions to the body of literature in entrepreneurship.

After serving as the Chief Counsel for Advocacy at the U.S. Small Business Administration for more than a year, Winslow Sargeant was finally confirmed by the Senate on Friday, November 18. Tom Sullivan, who served as Chief Counsel for Advocacy from 2002- 2008, applauds the confirmation in a recent blog post (reposted with permission):

As countries get richer, they become more heavily dependent on home-grown innovation -- as opposed to simply expanding existing activities or borrowing good ideas from abroad -- to maintain their growth. And since new firms play an absolutely vital role in the innovation process, removing barriers to entrepreneurship becomes increasingly important to maintaining economic dynamism and prosperity.

A new report from the National Small Business Association (NSBA) profiles a handful of small firms developing new clean energy technologies--and outlines the challenges they face. Beyond the technological obstacles navigated by every innovative firm in the industry, as well continued uncertainty over the national and global economies, the authors argue that the profiled firms were challenged by the lack of a national energy policy.

While hundreds of US colleges, universities and high schools were celebrating Global Entrepreneurship Week/USA, a new bill was introduced to Congress that encourages participation in entrepreneurship education programs. Sponsored by Congressman Dave Loebsack of Iowa, the 'Learn to Earn Act of 2011' seeks to create incentives for states and local school districts to implement high-quality entrepreneurship programs in communities all across the country.

In a beleaguered economy, the country needs entrepreneurs – the nation's job creators. Fortunately, a recent poll shows that the so-called millennial generation – those ages 18-34 – are an entrepreneurial bunch. Unfortunately, a few key barriers are holding them back, especially the economy.

A network of U.S. cities facilitating a weekly entrepreneur education program. Go to 1 Million Cups >

Whether you are starting or growing a company, FastTrac will help you live your dream at each stage.Go to FastTrac >

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